America's Greatest Generation grew up during the worst economic depression in the history of the United States. What's not generally known is that the economic depression of the 1930s was not just an American depression but a worldwide depression. It was devastating, and most countries turned to governmental forms such as Nazism, Fascism, Communism, dictatorships, imperialism, and various forms of socialism-but not America's Greatest Generation; they stuck by their Constitution and the elected form of government given to them by their forefathers.
Then came World War II and they were called on to beat back the horrors of Nazism, Fascism, and other forms of evil that strived to rule and subjugate the world. The war called for a great sacrifice in human life and in human emotion, but the Greatest Generation stepped forward and did it.
After a great depression and a world war, this generation went on to help build a great nation by living successful lives and helping restore the foundation of the United States of America.
This story is about a family, the Collies, from the small East Texas town of Coalville during those hard times in America. It tells how they persevered against hatred, racism, murder, personal tragedy, and sacrifice to rise up and become part of America's Greatest Generation.
Carlton Crane was born and raised in the Piney Woods of East Texas. He finished high school and started college at, what was then, Arlington State College. Interrupted by the Vietnam War, Carlton served honorably in the United States Army Security Agency for four years being discharged in 1967. After being discharged in Florida, he met and married Barbara Jean Orne in 1968 and they had two sons together.
After being married, Carlton went back to school on the GI Bill and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1972. He then went on to become a very successful Software Engineer for the banking industry.
Still married to his bride of forty-six years and after three grandchildren, he is now semi-retired and lives in Arlington, Texas. He enjoys reading, writing, traveling, good movies, and photography. Along with his first novel "So Much to Give," he has written several short stories in different genres.
